Dear Deacon John,
Five 40 Days for
Life vigils have taken place outside the WomanCare abortion center in
Lansing, Michigan. But local leaders in Lansing decided there would not
be a sixth.
They didn't sign up for the current campaign because they knew the facility’s lease was expiring on September 30 – and the new tenant would be a local church!
On Tuesday, the abortionist backed his truck up to the building … removed all of his belongings … and locked the door for the final time. As of now, there are no plans for him to re-open in a new location.
This is the 59th abortion facility … where a 40 Days for Life vigil has been held on the sidewalk outside … that has closed its doors permanently.
Praise God!!!
Here are some of the details that illustrate how God's timing is not always our own.
Lansing, Michigan
Faithful people have prayed outside WomanCare for years – praying that one day, abortions would cease.
As Cecilia
Tombelli, who led the last three 40 Days for Life vigils in Lansing
described it, in the first chapter of this story, “a community came together
with a great desire to defend babies and to help men and women
challenged with unplanned pregnancies. Prayers for hope, healing, mercy
and grace abounded.”
About a year ago, a
procession from the Church of the Resurrection brought hundreds of
people together. They walked the short distance from the church to
WomanCare “to claim it for Christ,” as Cecilia put it. “The community placed its trust in the merciful heart of Jesus.”
It was also about
this time that the Church of the Resurrection was making expansion
plans. “The Lord made clear that our need for temporary office space and
our parish commitment to pray and fast to end abortion might come
together providentially,” said Fr. Steve Mattson, the church’s pastor.
So talks began with the owner of the building that housed the abortion center. It started with a simple question: Would the owner be willing to lease the space to the church instead of the abortionist?
“The abortionist never signed a lease,”
Fr. Mattson explained. “He was going month to month.” The church
offered a 33-month lease – and the building’s owner accepted. Bishop
Earl Boyea then signed the lease.
As of October 1,
the 4,100 square feet of space at 1601 East Grand River in Lansing is no
longer the home of an abortion business. It will now house parish
offices, a chapel and a new pro-life center.
“Thanks be to God!” Cecilia said. “We have been given the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ … and death has been swallowed up! There is no longer an abortion clinic anywhere in Lansing.”
Today's devotional is from Rev. John Ensor of PassionLife.
Day 10 intention
Pray for your local pregnancy help center: for those who answer calls from women considering abortion, those who provide ultrasounds, and those who personally help mothers prepare to parent or place for adoption.
Scripture
Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
—Psalm 82:4
Reflection
When a woman arrives at her local pregnancy help center, the hard work of "rescuing the weak" begins.
They listen to her. What desperate circumstance is driving her?
They act. A professional ultrasound and medical care is provided.
They pray, "God use us." Then, they take up her burdens and work towards life.
It is cross-bearing for the child-bearing.
Recently, I prayed for one volunteer who was working with one mother in her struggle. Here is what "rescue the weak" looked like in this one case:
- Aug 3: She made an appointment for Thursday to get an abortion and while she feels terrible about it, she also feels like she has no choice. Pray that her heart is changed!
- Aug 10: She is 12 weeks along but missed her appointment. She had some good conversations with people at the pregnancy center. She is now considering adoption.
- Aug 13: Things are down again. She now has an abortion scheduled for Monday. Pray!
- Aug 17: Missed appointment! God is working in her life.
- Sept 1: We've hit another rocky period. She has an abortion scheduled for tomorrow. She found out today that her parents are planning a trip to visit her and she is panicking.
- Sept 15: Missed third appointment. But feels like she has no choice. Please pray today
- Sept 20: She fears her parents but has agreed to another ultrasound (a breakthrough).
- Sept 22: I was there with her for her ultrasound. She saw her baby moving and made the realization that she wants to carry her baby.
Please keep praying
against attack by the enemy. We are overwhelmed by seeing God's hand
move in this situation and are so very thankful for the prayers lifted
up by each one of you. God is good!
Prayer
Father, we praise you for this one sister who gave herself, heart and soul, to rescue this one mother and baby. O may you empower the hundreds more today who are serving in our pregnancy help centers. Grant those answering calls, providing ultrasound and following up with a bold spirit of truth, love and perseverance.
Printable devotional
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For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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